The Tripod

Media Credit: Courtesy of www.trincoll.edu/athletics The Bantams soccer team tripped up the competition this past weekend. [Click to enlarge]

After a home victory against Western Connecticut College, Trinity College men's soccer used the momentum against Wesleyan University on Saturday, Sept. 27, for their third consecutive victory. Due to inclement weather, the game was postponed and the teams were forced to play on the field turf. However, the change of venue didn't phase the Bantams, as they improved to 6-1 overall and 2-1 in the NESCAC. Wesleyan dropped to 2-2-1 overall and 1-1-1 in the league.

According to senior tri-captain Dan Kupper, "The game was intense and hard fought from start to finish. We had to make slight adjustments because of the turf." The intensity from the Bantams was evident from the first kick. Freshman Dan Mayernick immediately scored in the first minute of game play when he placed the ball in an open net on a misread from Wesleyan goalie, Nigel Stacey '11. Senior tri-captain Mikey van Beuren assisted Mayernick with a long ball to allow the Bantams to take the 1-0 lead. The Bantams were able to adapt perfectly and the intensity never died as the two teams continued to battle. In the 38th minute, Wesleyan answered with a game-tying goal from senior Kyle Nuland. Fellow senior Matt Nevin delivered the ball to Nuland, who was able to get behind Bantams goalie Zac Trudeau '09. Although Trudeau failed to save Nuland's ball, he finished the game with eight saves and did not allow another goal.

The first half ended in a 1-1 tie. Outside defender Jason Kulik '10 launched a perfect pass to fellow junior Sam Wisner. He headed the ball past Stacey to score the second goal for Trinity in the 56th minute. This allowed the Bantams to successfully reclaim the lead, which they would hold on to until the end of the game. In the 65th minute, Chris Doran '10 delivered a phenomenal corner kick, which enabled Wisner to add an insurance goal on a one time full volley for the Bantams. This made the score 3-1, which is how it would finish, giving Trinity its sixth win this season.

The Bantams play another conference game this Saturday, Oct. 3, against Williams College and follow up with one on Tuesday, Oct. 7, against Middlebury College. Kupper stated, "We're just trying to keep this thing rolling. We've been playing well and as long as we take it one game at a time, things will come together in the long run."

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